JACKSONVILLE—The absence of NFL rushing leader RB Maurice Jones-Drew, still holding out in hopes of getting a contract extension despite two years remaining on his deal, has had minimal impact on the Jaguars’ preseason preparation. However, with the Sept. 9 season opener at Minnesota less than two weeks away, the timing of when Jones-Drew decides to report will impact whether he reclaims his starting job against the Vikings.

RB Rashad Jennings has looked ready in preseason to be at least be a temporary starter if needed. Head coach Mike Mularkey has remained non-commital about Jones-Drew’s role because he has no information on his physical condition or how quickly he will adjust to a new offense. Jones-Drew has never met Mularkey, hasn’t been at the Jaguars’ facility since the 2011 season ended, and doesn’t have a playbook.

Mularkey said Monday that he expects Jennings to start in the season opener, but did not rule out Jones-Drew reclaiming that role.

Now the 11th-highest paid back in terms of average salary, Jones-Drew probably has to report by the weekend to have any chance of starting the opener. If not, it might be a sign that he intends to extend this holdout into the regular season and become a much bigger distraction.

While QB Blaine Gabbert has significantly improved his accuracy and production in preseason, some concern has to be creeping in about how well the Jaguars will protect him when the real games begin. The team has been hit with injuries along the offensive line, putting three linemen on injured reserve Monday, including C John Estes and G Jason Spitz that they were counting on to be in backup roles. In addition, G Will Rackley missed significant time in preseason with an ankle injury, forcing the move of Eben Britton from right tackle to left guard.

Undrafted free agent Cameron Bradfield now is slated to start at right tackle in the season opener. With the starting line not getting any consistent work together, and the Vikings’ Jared Allen on the road as the first test, that looms as a danger area.